Choice 2. Search the homes?

Fingers twitched hungrily on the hilt of his longsword, he warily eyed the small domed homes, and wondered what could be found here, not that he much wanted to stay. But he was curious to learn what had happened to this place? Even in a city this small, there had to be survivors. But if not, well, there was always loot to be had, and walked towards the rows of houses.

Lips curled into a smile, he noticed the others waiting for him, and spoke over his shoulder, "we should take a look around."

Guiram, the golden-haired elf with light green eyes, gave Gregor a sour glance, and pressed a knuckle into his brow. "Be careful, round ears, we still do not know if the threat has passed us by."

Head nodded in reply, not that he much needed the advice, Gregor headed for the nearest home, when he realized Selese had followed him, and wondered if she was meant to watch his back? Or watch him. The usually silent half breed with the round ears of a human, and the v-shaped features of an elf, had golden tanned skin, bright blue eyes, and a way of walking that made it seem like she was dancing.

Mouth quirked into a wry smile at the thought of being shadowed, he made his way across the bare empty streets, each of the homes an exact painting of the next with a few exceptions here and there. The potted plants that stood on windowsills, and different colored doors, the only real difference with limestone walls made of some magical goop that absorbed the heat or cold. One of the many reasons these houses were so common in these parts.

Hand flexed to caress the hilt of his longsword, he stopped in front of the first house with its light brown walls and blue chipped door, before he looked back at Selese. The tight-lipped elf who kept a watchful eye on her surroundings, giving Gregor a puzzled frown, when he grinned back at her. Which of course she took as a challenge, and bared her teeth at him.

Not in the slightest bit fazed by her glare, he thrust his shoulder into the blue painted door, and felt it pop open, his own weight carrying him inside as he glanced around.

Simply decorated with very little furniture, Gregor need only take three steps to be on the other side of the room. The arched opening that led into the bedroom, revealing two stone beds.

Not exactly hopeful he would find anything valuable, he searched the cupboards and shelves, while Selese folded up her arms across her chest, until finally she snapped with impatience, "what are you looking for?!"

(Reply, weapons.)

Eyes lit up in amusement at her red face and twitching long ears, Gregor smiled again. "Aaah well, I'm searching for weapons of course. Never know what we can find here."

Blue eyes pulsing dangerously as she glowered at him in disbelief, she spat, "these are orcs! They do not carry weapons!"

Hole already dug open for himself and seeing no way out, Gregor shrugged his shoulders as though it didn't matter. "Well, no wonder there's nothing to be had here," and stomped back out into the streets, where he found Guiram bent over some rubble, and gazed up from his search. "Find anything?"

Head tilted to look at Selese who had followed him out, Gregor replied, "No," and thought he saw her ears twitch again.

Eyebrows drawn in consternation, the golden-haired warrior took one last look around, before he nodded. "Come on then, let's gather the rest in, and push on."

Move onto the next Scenario.

(Reply, food.)

Eyes lit up in amusement at her red face and twitching long ears, Gregor smiled again. "Why I'm looking for food of course. As I see it the camp could use a few more supplies, unless you think otherwise?"

Cheeks bright red with spots of color, Selese shook her head hurriedly. "It is good that you think of others, few of your kind do."

Not sure whether to take it as an insult or compliment, they continued to search for food. She did anyway, while Gregor pocketed away any gold pieces they found. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.

Ready to leave and continue on with their quest, he opened his mouth to tell Selese as much, when he saw her staring into a handheld mirror, her gaze fixed.

+15 GP.

(Break it.)

Swift enough to realize this wasn't natural, he knocked the mirror out of her hands, and watched it shatter against the stone floor. The brief instant in which he had seen his own reflection, transformed into Kira with a sad smile, her scarred cheeks, and silver eyes filled with warmth, before it cracked apart.

Releasing a stuttering long breath, he felt himself shiver at the sudden cold in his chest, and shook his head.

Selese who had tears in her eyes, wiped them away hurriedly. "we should leave."

No need to be asked twice, they headed back out into the streets, where they found Guiram bent over some rubble, and gazed up from his search. "Find anything?"

Head tilted to look at Selese, Gregor replied, "No," and thought he saw her ears droop, the crystal clear memory replaying itself at the back of his mind.

Eyebrows drawn inward in consternation, the golden-haired warrior took one last look around, before he nodded his head. "Come on then, let's gather the rest in, and push on."

+1 Morale.

Move onto the next Scenario.

(Take it from her.)

Curious to see what she had found, Gregor moved forward to take it from her, when he saw his own reflection, and just as quickly it was Kira. The young girl he had raised as a daughter with Caroline, looking up at him with sad silver eyes, and a wan smile that made his heartache to help her. Every night since the day he had lost her, he had pictured that same smile, praying that she would never leave, when he awoke to find her gone. Only this time he could see her, and she was waving at him to come with her.

(Follow her.)

Hands reaching out for the mirror, he felt himself being pulled forward, and smiled as her face filled with warmth. This was how it was meant to end.

Death

(Pull back.)

Heart close to breaking, he tried to remind himself it wasn't real, and knocked the mirror out of her hands. The brief instant in which he had seen his own reflection, transformed into Kira again with a sad smile, her scarred cheeks, and silver eyes filled with warmth, before it shattered apart on the stone floor.

Releasing a stuttering intake of breath, he felt himself shiver at the sudden cold in his chest, and shook his head.

Selese who had tears in her eyes, wiped them away hurriedly. "we should leave."

No need to be asked twice, they headed back out into the streets, where they found Guiram bent over some rubble, and gazed up from his search. "Find anything?"

Head tilted to look at Selese, Gregor replied, "No," and thought he saw her ears droop, the crystal clear memory replaying itself at the back of his mind.

Eyebrows drawn inward in consternation, the golden-haired warrior took one last look around, before he nodded his head. "Come on then, let's gather the rest in, and push on."

-1 HP.

+2 Morale.

Move onto the next Scenario.

(Reply, valuables.)

Eyes lit up in amusement at her red face and twitching long ears, Gregor decided to go for blunt honesty. "I'm going to ransack the place for valuables."

Blue eyes pulsing dangerously, Selese's hand floated over her sword hilt, and Gregor knew he had to say something.

(Threaten her.)

Voice distant and cold, he snapped, "I would not do that if I were you. Your death would make no difference?"

But she simply smiled, "there are some things worth fighting for. I took a vow, and I mean to keep it."

Shortsword out in a blink of an eye, Gregor had barely enough time to parry her stroke, before he kicked out her left leg, and slid his blade into her chest.

"Idiot, you could have lived."

Blue eyes dulled to a light gleam, she whispered, "a mercenary would never understand," and with that she was gone.

Body cradled in his arms, Gregor knew he could not stay here. He would be sad to leave Sara and Lytan behind without saying goodbye, but then he supposed it had to be this way. Execution is all that awaited him here.

Many years Later...

Mind drowned in bottles of heart-knocker in an inn at the far reaches of Coroleya, Gregor heard tales of Orkeylium's fall, and the rise of the new empire that had captured Caldashar, Kahloon, and it's massed armies at Vanclar, and felt nothing. For all he cared, the world could end.

An End.

(Keep calm.)

So he spoke the simple truth. "Whatever happened here, everyone has long since been dead or captured, despite what you may believe. I know when dark magic has been used, and this place is rife with it. Better to take what we can, and survive."

Face as impassive as stone, the female warrior shook her head, waves of dark curls swishing from side to side. "I took a vow." But already he could see her will breaking.

"No part of your vow asks you to guard stones, elf."

Gazes locked together, he thought for a second that she was still going to attack, her blue eyes sparking like lightning, when she released a heavy sigh. "You may be right, but I cannot be a part of this. To some Honor is more important."

Back turned on him, she left him there, pondering what to do next.

(Continue searching.)

Not in the slightest bit eager to waste this opportunity, he continued to search through each of the houses, and pocketed away any gold he found.

And finally when he was ready to leave he hurried out into the streets, where he found Guiram bent over some rubble and Selese standing guard. The look she shot him when he appeared hot as acid, when Guiram looked up from his search. "Find anything?"

Head tilted to look at Selese, Gregor replied, "No," and thought he saw her face flinch with anger.

Eyebrows drawn inward in consternation, the golden-haired warrior took one last look around, before he nodded his head. "Come on then, let's gather the rest in, and push on."

+15 GP.

Move onto the next Scenario.

(Leave.)

Muttering a curse about women being the blight of his existence, he quickly hurried out after her into the streets, where they found Guiram bent over some rubble, and gazed up from his search. "Find anything?"

Head tilted to look at Selese, Gregor replied, "No," and thought he saw a flicker of a smile on her lips.

Eyebrows drawn inward in consternation, the golden-haired warrior took one last look around, before he nodded his head. "Come on then, let's gather the rest in, and push on."

+1 Morale.

Move onto the next Scenario.